Erin Balls - Specialist Instrument Services
With my Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, I have learnt the basic skills of answering and transferring telephone calls, emailing suppliers and customers, and a range of online skills. I am also learning more in-depth skills such as product placement on websites, maintaining an e-commerce website, taking and processing orders, and how to keep prices competitive. This apprenticeship has allowed me to do off-the-job training, which is giving me experience in the finance department, sales department, stores, and the lab.
I found an apprenticeship attractive for several reasons. I would be gaining recognisable qualifications, plus knowledge and experience of working in a business and in my chosen career path. On top of all that I would be able to earn as I learn. As someone who would soon be learning to drive, this is a huge help! I was attracted to an office-style role as I am an extremely organised and methodical person. Therefore, a role that would enable me to develop online skills and have insights into how other departments work is a definite winner!
Learning Skills Partnership (LSP) has allowed me to gain knowledge while I’m working and the information I gain from my assignments, I have then been able to put into practice within my role. Regular online meetings have helped me to keep my focus and complete my work to a good standard.
The off-the-job training I have received when I go into the various departments has given me a fantastic insight into how the whole business runs and how we, as a whole team, can assist each other to make a more productive business. Plus, I can get to know other members of staff better which has created a happy working environment.
If someone was thinking of doing an apprenticeship I would definitely say ‘go for it!’ You will gain invaluable skills, hands-on experience and gain fantastic qualifications which will last you your whole life. As a shy person, I would also say it has helped me gain such confidence in mixing with others and in my own abilities.
Employers should definitely offer apprenticeships as they will gain a fully qualified member of their team whom they can shape and mould into the type of employee that will work hard for and benefit their business. At the end, they won’t just have someone with qualifications on a piece of paper but one who can put all the knowledge they have received into action.
My apprenticeship may only last 18 months but it is giving me everything I need to gain skills for my future career and will last my whole life.